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2013 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 756
Celebrating the life of Betty A. Thompson.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 25, 2013
Agreed to by the Senate, January 31, 2013

 

WHEREAS, Betty A. Thompson, a highly respected domestic relations attorney who made many contributions to the practice of law in the Commonwealth over the course of her more than 60-year legal career, died on September 24, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Betty Thompson earned degrees from The George Washington University and became one of the first female attorneys in Arlington; and

WHEREAS, Betty Thompson began her career as a generalist, litigating an array of civil and criminal cases, before establishing herself as a leader in the new and evolving area of domestic relations law; and

WHEREAS, Betty Thompson played a pivotal role in efforts to modernize the Commonwealth’s statutes relating to domestic relations matters, including the adoption of equitable-distribution laws and the setting of a defined length of time for spousal support; and

WHEREAS, known for her no-nonsense manner and knowledge of the law, Betty Thompson represented her clients in the courts of Northern Virginia and served as a mentor to younger attorneys; and

WHEREAS, Betty Thompson opened doors for female attorneys as the first woman president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and Arlington County Bar Association; she also served as chair of the Virginia Bar Association Coalition on Family Law Legislation from 1995 to 2009; and

WHEREAS, the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to her profession, Betty Thompson served in leadership capacities with the Virginia State Bar, American Bar Foundation, and various other organizations; and

WHEREAS, a vibrant and dynamic leader, Betty Thompson dedicated her professional career to the law, serving her clients, profession, and the Commonwealth with great intellect, integrity, and passion and helping forge many of the laws of the Commonwealth in her field; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a distinguished attorney, Betty A. Thompson; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Betty A. Thompson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.